Development and Validation of the NYFT for Family Triage

Adolescents and their families should receive the appropriate support at the right time, based on their strengths, risk factors and needs. However, comprehensive instruments to determine these characteristics seem generally lacking. In the current study we aim to develop a family triage instrument, assessing the necessary level and type of care. This Needs of Youth and Family Triage (NYFT) assessment includes all relevant individual factors, familial characteristics and environmental characteristics. The current study reports the psychometric properties of the NYFT in a validation study based on two samples: adolescents from secure residential youth care institutions ( n = 65) versus a non-clinical control group of adolescents recruited from two secondary schools ( n = 67). Factor analyses yielded a three-factor solution: 1. Authoritative Parenting/Positive Family Climate ; 2. Adolescent (Social) Functioning ; 3. Adolescent Well-being and Participation . Results showed that the NYFT had satisfactory reliability and convergent validity, along with an excellent discriminant validity. In conclusion, the NYFT is a promising triage instrument providing advice on the level and type of care (or help) needed, so that the right care can be offered immediately.